Lists! Neyer's 50 Best Disses Howard
Lists are obviously a subjective thing but they're also good conversation starters. ESPN's Rob Neyer ranks his 50 best MLB players in terms of the next 5 years. Chase Utley is the highest Phillie at number 8 and Young James comes in at 16th. Perhaps the biggest surprise was his valuation of Ryan Howard who came in at 45th.
He's obviously a devastating hitter, but he has virtually no value when he's not in the batter's box and may average more than 200 strikeouts per season over the next five years. And at 28, he may already have played his best.
And Cole Hamels? Nowhere to be found. Right.
thanks for the laugh
Posted by: erk | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Rob Neyer a big Royals apologist? Doesn't he hate the Phillies because of the '80 World Series?
Posted by: Clare | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Not a fan of Rob Neyer anyway, but this little column is retarded even by Neyer's standards. Really, it's just Neyer's cute little way of perpetuating his man crush for David Wright (coz he's SOOOO dreamy).
He mentions he has no "prospects" on his list, but manages to put guys like Evan Longoria at 20, when Longoria hasn't played an inning in the big leagues.
Posted by: johndewar | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
"5. Johan Santana (29)
It's possible that we've seen his best work. On the other hand, his best was the best … and now that he's in the National League, even less than his best may be good enough for two or three Cy Young Awards.
45. Ryan Howard (28)
He's obviously a devastating hitter, but he has virtually no value when he's not in the batter's box and may average more than 200 strikeouts per season over the next five years. And at 28, he may already have played his best."
One guy, we've maybe seen his best work, but he's got another three Cy's coming to him. The other, we've maybe seen his best work, but he is going to lead the league in whifs every year from here on out. Give me a break... I'll take Howard at 45 if we are going to grade Santana the same way.
Posted by: Kulp | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Right, because saying that Ryan Howard is in the top 4% of all Major League Baseball players on 40-man rosters is SUCH a slap in the face.
And where's Jeter?!?!?!?
Posted by: Rob I. | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 03:56 PM
If Howard and Utley were #s 1 and 2 I wouldn't give a rip....these marginal opinion writers have as much clout as the average sports blogger...
The fact he's affiliated with ESPN here only further indicts his credibility in my mind.
Posted by: bigmyc | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 04:04 PM
How can Uggla be ahead of Howard. He argues Howard's K's but Uggla himself swings at anything. Nonsense, how does this guy get a job at ESPN. And Prince Fielder at 43? Reyes in front of Chutley? Wtf
Posted by: Iwillneverreadthisguyagain | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM
This guy doesn't know much about baseball...
Posted by: TJ | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 04:16 PM
I like reading the baseball blogs on espn... all except for neyers, he posts three times a day and NEVER has anything interesting to say. the guy is just annoying. not as biased against the phillies as steve phillips, but close.
Posted by: jake | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I like reading the baseball blogs on espn... all except for neyers, he posts three times a day and NEVER has anything interesting to say. the guy is just annoying. not as biased against the phillies as steve phillips, but close.
Posted by: jake | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 04:33 PM
All you need to know about Neyer's list is that his 20th-ranked player just got sent down to the minors.
Neyer is an assclown.
Posted by: Tartan69 | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 05:32 PM
That was a really great point bigmyc.
Posted by: bboova | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Oh, and in his 2nd basemen rankings, he takes Robinson Cano over Chutley.
I stand corrected, he's not just an assclown. He's a no-talent assclown.
Posted by: Tartan69 | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 05:36 PM
This guy is an idiot. ESPN, with the exception of Kruk, really needs to remove themselves from Santana's balls...I hope the phils light him up the first time they see him.
Posted by: BigTom | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Wait, wait wait. He puts Ryan Howard at 45 (and knocks him fore being old and having his "best" years behind him) and then plops 29 year old Santana at FIVE and says the same things!
I'm sorry, but a 35 year old Betran (in 5 years) also makes the list at #26, but no Cole Hamels at all!?!?!?
F him and his clef palate.
Posted by: Cheese | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 07:15 PM
A very poor compilation to day the least. I'm not saying that Howard should even be top 10... but there are at least 20 people he and Price Fielder should both be in front of.
Posted by: Gaze | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Even Steinbrenner would take Chutley over Cano--he said as much when he noted he thought Cano was the best second baseman in baseball behind only Chase Utley. Neyer is an idiot.
Posted by: doubleh | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 01:07 PM